(DDM) – The Obi-in-Council of Onitsha, Anambra State, has declared that the revered Onitsha Kingdom will not endorse any candidate in the upcoming November 8, 2025 governorship election.
The statement, released after an extensive meeting at the Obi’s Palace, emphasized that the traditional institution remains neutral and focused on the unity, stability, and progress of Anambra State rather than partisan politics.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the decision was made after several political groups and campaign organizations approached the palace seeking royal blessings and endorsements ahead of the election. According to the Council, the throne of Onitsha under His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi), will not align itself with any political party or candidate, stressing that its responsibility lies in ensuring peace and the preservation of cultural values.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, a senior member of the Council said, “The Obi-in-Council has resolved to maintain a position of neutrality.
The traditional stool must not be seen as partisan or supportive of any political aspiration.
We are custodians of tradition and conscience, not participants in partisan contests.”
DDM learned that the Council’s decision came amid growing political activities across Anambra State, as major parties, including the Labour Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), intensify campaigns and consultations in the build-up to the polls.
The statement further urged all candidates to prioritize peace, issue-based campaigns, and respect for the democratic process.
It also appealed to their supporters to avoid violence, vote buying, and character assassination, noting that the will of the people must be allowed to prevail without intimidation or manipulation.
“We are urging politicians to remember that Anambra’s greatness lies in the peace and unity of its people,” the Council added. “Elections should never divide us but strengthen our democracy.”
Political analysts who spoke with DDM observed that Onitsha’s neutrality could have far-reaching effects on the state’s political landscape.
The city, which serves as a major economic hub and cultural symbol of southeastern Nigeria, has historically played a significant role in shaping public opinion during elections.
The Council’s declaration may therefore discourage the use of traditional endorsements as political tools in the coming poll.
In recent months, various campaign teams have reportedly sought symbolic blessings from traditional rulers across Anambra, seeing them as moral backers capable of swaying grassroots support.
However, the Onitsha Council’s position underscores the growing awareness that traditional authorities should remain apolitical in modern democratic governance.
The Council also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections, and urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for voters and electoral materials.
As November 8 approaches, the Onitsha Obi-in-Council’s firm neutrality sends a clear message, that the true role of traditional institutions lies in fostering harmony, guiding moral values, and ensuring that peace reigns above political ambition.